From Basketball to Tea to National Security—the vibrant life of our university

Following on the heels of my first meeting with the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board and a wonderful tour of the Kelley School of Business during last Friday’s snowstorm (!), this week, I added to my series of “firsts” with tours and meetings, a Jaguar women’s basketball game, and a National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology Roundtable.

The teams at the Graduate School, University Library, and the Madam Walker Legacy Center opened their doors to me this week. These three units speak to the tremendous breadth of our campus programs and resources as well as our deep connection to the community. It was clear at every one of these stops that our faculty and staff are focused on helping students succeed inside and outside the classroom.

I was especially excited to connect with students during these tours. I visited with graduate and professional students at the Graduate School where members of Underrepresented Professional and Graduate Student Organization (UPnGo) leadership team shared their academic progress and career plans. What an inspiring conversation!

At University Library, I learned about the value of student feedback, which led the library to add more power outlets everywhere they could during recent renovations. I was also able to briefly join a campus tour. Campus Ambassadors Rilyn and Max did a great job sharing the library’s features and giving future Jaguars insider information about our campus! I should probably sign up for a tour myself.

At the Madam Walker Legacy Center, Dr. Joseph Tucker Edmonds and Dr. Patricia Turley with the Center for Africana Studies and Culture shared their passion to help undergraduate students succeed. From their outreach to high schools to help students understand and hence apply to college to their stewardship of students interested in research in Africana studies, it was clear that our faculty care deeply about student success, and community outreach.

Midweek, it was an honor to welcome Senator Todd Young and other members of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology to IU Indianapolis and showcase the groundbreaking work happening at the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute (INDI). The wide-ranging and inclusive conversation at the roundtable brought key leaders from different sectors of the Indiana economy to the table and reflected the vision and leadership that NSCEB commissioners are bringing to this important work. I especially appreciated the commission’s recognition of the vital role institutions of higher education play at this intersection of national security and emerging biotechnology. Thanks to Senator Young and NSCEB commissioners for their unwavering support of scientific inquiry and their commitment to fostering a thriving research ecosystem in Indiana and throughout the nation.

That same day, I had the pleasure of co-hosting my first faculty tea with IU President Whitten and appreciated the opportunity to connect with my fellow faculty members here at IU Indianapolis. With these teas and other occasions, we are working to create a space where faculty members who might not normally meet each other can share their research and make productive connections. I was especially excited to learn that our faculty are committed to the pursuit of the highest standards of research and instructional excellence in their fields, and I am looking forward to many more inspiring conversations ahead.

I closed the day with my first Jaguar women’s basketball game. From the energy in The Jungle to the incredible teamwork on the court, I was inspired by the passion of our team and the unity of our Jaguar family. While they did not win the game, they showed grit and spirit until the end. Kudos to our players and to Coach Kate Bruce! I look forward to seeing more students at our games. Let’s get out there, wear red, and support these outstanding students as they represent our campus. Go Jags!

Today I look forward to meeting with the teams in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the School of Liberal Arts.

From basketball games to national security: this is the life of a premier urban research university. I’m so proud to be part of this vibrant, engaged, and committed community and look forward to continuing my work of listening and learning.

Go Jags!

Latha Ramchand
Chancellor